WEST PTC | WEST PTC CALENDAR | WEST SCHOOL | NCPS DISTRICT

A reminder that student picture day is coming up on Tuesday, October 13th. Students will take individual pictures with “no touch” support from our professional photographer, Coffee Pond. No class picture will be taken for safety reasons. Parents interested in purchasing photos should go to Coffee Pond and click "Order School Portraits" and search for West Elementary School to purchase prior to photo day.

Coming Soon! October 19th-22nd, the Fall Online Auction will be LIVE. Don't miss the opportunity to bid on over 35 unique items and experiences with 100% of proceeds going to West. From local art to travel and wine, this auction is a great way to give back and get a head start on your holiday shopping. Please show your support for our wonderful school and the much anticipated Outdoor Learning Center by bidding early and often! Here are just some of the fantastic items:

On Monday, the PTC board arranged for the Bubbles & Brew coffee truck to bring coffee and treats to celebrate our teachers & staff, and thank them for their hard work bringing our children back to school this year. Below are some pictures of the teachers and our sidewalk art!

Wear your green, white or Westy!

Magician Randy Shine

No School.

Wear your green, white or Westy!

With our children spending increased time outdoors this school year, we would like to make the outdoor spaces at West more warm, welcoming and festive. If you would like to contribute to the beautification of the school's outdoor garden spaces and learning areas, please click here.

The new online directory is now available! Please click here to link to our directory website, Membership Toolkit. Register and pay your $30 membership fee to gain access to the site. Your support funds our programming and events, which cost over $250 per child each year. Please contact Martha Harper at directory@westschoolptc.org with any questions. Paper copies of the directory will be available for an additional $5 fee. For those who also order a printed copy of the directory, we expect those to be available the week of October 5th. Only PTC members will gain access to the online directory.

Though visitors are not permitted in the building this year, there are still many ways to support our school and volunteer! You can design layouts for the memory book, create our first virtual science fair and more! We hope all parents will find an opportunity to get involved. Click here for our volunteer interest form.

The Board of Education met in-person in the Wagner Room of NCHS on Tuesday, October 6th. The meeting began with a presentation from Dr. Susan Bliss on the social and emotional intelligence work the district has undertaken the last several years. Dr. Bliss reviewed the implementation to date including expansion of the curriculum rollout to grades 9-12. High School Principal Jay Egan presented an overview of the new rotating block schedule at the high school and the positive survey feedback from students and faculty. Dr. Bryan Luizzi provided an update on school operations, including the recent achievement of 100% capacity for grades K-6, and a reminder of the covid dashboard on the Charting Our Course website. Dr. Jo-Ann Keating concluded with her report on covid-related expenditures thus far this year for PPE, technology, instructional supplies, cleaning supplies, custodial staff, transportation and permanent building substitutes.  

The next BOE virtual meeting is Monday, October 19th at 7:00PM. The meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes are here. Questions? Please contact the West BOE representative Erica Schwedel at edurep@westchoolptc.org.

The Young Women's League of New Canaan is on a mission to spread the spook all over town with our latest fundraiser, Boofest! and make this a Halloween to remember! Spread the spook to friends and neighbors by purchasing one of our "Boo" packages that includes creepy mailbox decorations and an optional Halloween-themed goodie basket provided by Groove. Our Boo Squad does all the work and will be delivering and decorating "boo" recipients' homes throughout October, so buy your kit now at ywlnewcanaan.org/boofest! Proceeds will benefit Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County and Waveny LifeCare Network.

The NC Squash K-4 fall season starts October 10th! You may be brand new to squash, have a friend who is interested in trying squash or have been playing for some time. We have room for all levels. All K-4 New Canaan public school students are welcome! Click here to register! For additional information, please contact Suzanne Koeppl.

Filling in the Blanks is a local non-profit organization that fights childhood hunger by providing children who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program with meals on the weekends. Through the Holiday Backpack Program, children in the FITB program will receive a new backpack filled with pancake mix, syrup, books, a toy and dental kits. For many children this might be the only items they will receive for the holiday. The order deadline is October 12th. Please consider donating an item by clicking here. If you would like to make a cash donation please click here. To learn more about FITB, please go to www.fillingintheblanks.org.

Adventures in Nature Club (for students in grades K-2). Wednesdays, beginning October 14th (1pm-3pm). Yearning for the chance to get outside, stretch your legs, and explore the great outdoors? This after school club will offer participants the chance to investigate and discover all that nature has to offer. Each week, meet a couple of our beloved animal ambassadors, read a nature-themed story, show of your artsy side, and enjoy free play in New Canaan’s favorite backyard…the nature center! Adventurers will meet on the Green at the nature center every Wednesday after school. Members: $160 for 4 weeks. Non-Members: $200 for 4 weeks. Pre-registration by Tuesday, October 13th at NOON is required. Face coverings are required for all program participants.

Cub Scout Pack 45 is hosting a New Canaan Bike Rodeo and Cub Scout recruiting event on Saturday, October 17th from 10AM - 12PM in the parking lot at the New Canaan train station. All K-5th grade boys and girls are invited to join us for a free bike and helmet check, learn proper hand signals and test your riding skills on our obstacle course. Older kids and parents are welcome to both attend and participate. Contact Cubmaster Danielle McKee at (203) 979-3023 if you have any questions.

New Canaan Rotary Club's 35th Annual Lobsterfest will be “contactless” this year. Proceeds from Lobsterfest are the New Canaan Rotary Club's major annual fundraiser for grants to support many local non-profits. Drive through pick up on Friday October 16th and Saturday, October 17th from 4:30pm to 8pm at Waveny Pool Pavilion. Your order will be placed in your car or trunk by Rotarians and the wonderful guys from SLOBs. Order in advance online only at https://www.newcanaanrotarylobsterfest.org. Orders placed by September 30th will save 10% off the $45 ticket price. All dinners will be prepared and packed by professional caterers from New Canaan's Fjord Fish Market (steamed lobster or the new grilled salmon option!) and Walter Stewart's Market (fried chicken). Wine and beer specially selected by Stewart’s Wine & Spirits is available for purchase. A limited number of home deliveries are available for orders of 8 or more. NEW: Buy Gift Cards to give a dinner to friends, co-workers, clients or say THANKS to a local First Responder. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation, you can do so on our website.

Attention Scouts from last year and K-5th grade boys and girls who want to learn more about Scouting: Cub Scout Pack 45 is hosting an Open House and Pack Meeting Court of Honor on Wednesday, October 21st at 7PM in the St. Aloysius School gym. Learn everything you need to know about Cub Scouts while we recognize last year’s Scouts by presenting them with their rank patches and celebrate being selected as a Pope Paul VI National Catholic Unit Excellence Award winner. Contact Cubmaster Danielle McKee at (203) 979-3023 if you have any questions.